OFFICIAL: Barcelona signs Kevin-Prince Boateng from Sassuolo

It may be deemed as one of the most bizarre transfers of our time but it has happened anyway. Barcelona has officially confirmed the signing of Ghanaian star Kevin-Prince Boateng from Serie A outfit Sassuolo.

News of the 31-year-old attacker's imminent move to the Catalan club broke on Monday morning, stirring a massive pandemonium on social media. With the authenticity of the information being questioned, Boateng endorsed the shocking news by confirming that he was indeed moving to Barcelona in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports a few hours later.

"Barça, I'm coming! I'm sad to leave Sassuolo but it is a great chance."

Known as an admirer of Real Madrid, Boateng was quizzed about the rivals of his new club but was quick to downplay any form of affiliation or affection for a club he previously admitted that he could have joined earlier in his career.

"Don't ask me about Real Madrid... is just the past! I only want to focus on Barcelona and I hope to score at Bernabéu for the next Clásico"

A statement by Barcelona in relation to the transfer reads as follows: "FC Barcelona and US Sassuolo have arrived at an agreement for the loan of the player Kevin-Prince Boateng for the remainder of the 2018/19 season. The agreement includes an €8m purchase option.

"The player will be presented on Tuesday, 22 January.

"…Kevin-Prince Boateng is a player who will surely adapt quickly to the team," the statement continued.

"With the experience of playing in four of the biggest leagues in Europe, the Premier League, the Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga, he is a man who has scored goals wherever he has been.

"Furthermore, Boateng is a player who versatile to a fault. During his time with Las Palmas with Quique Setién as coach he played as an out and out striker, a typical number '9'.

"However, he is also able to play further back as he did at AC Milan, scoring twice against Barça in his time with the Rossoneri. His ability to bring people into the game means he is excellent at playing behind the main striker."

Boateng moved to Sassuolo last summer after winning the DFB Pokal Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. The Ghanaian has registered five goals in all competitions for the Serie A side so far this season.

Kevins-Prince Boateng's arrival at Barcelona subtly hints at the end of the Catalan's chase for a backup forward. The Blaugrana was previously linked with moves for Alvaro Morata as well as MLS and Mexico star Carlos Vela.